Tuesday, October 12, 2004

Just A Thought...

My lecturer asked me today what I thought the next Social Movement would be, and the first thing that burst from my lips was 'Communalism' - the rise of co-ops, the end of individualism (to the extent that any movement dies), and real focus on community.

Why would I suggest this? well, aside from the rantings of Hartmann, I feel communalism would be a natural reaction to the increasing casualisation of the workforce. okay, hear me out. 50 years ago, at the dawn of individualism, a job was seen as for life - the security that it provided enabled stability independent of the community around you- Man is in his House, and All's Right With The World.

Now consider what happens without Job Security - the suggestion that my generation (post-X) will have six careers over their lifetime. Gaps in employment, coupled with the destruction of the socialist state by economic rationalisation leaves people dependent on those around them during the rough times.

Now in this context communalism makes the best choice - you can't depend on the state, and you can't depend on your employer, and without either as a source of income, you can either turn to the community or be turned out on the streets. So what are you going to choose?

A co-op would bring the security that neither the state nor the private sector are willing to provide - dependent on the people around you the same way they are dependent on you. wouldn't it be nice...

or we could go to the corporate state...
posted by Keegan at 1:51 pm

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